NTPC, L&T arm to develop & commercialise CO2-to-Methanol plants

• Under this MOU, LTHE and NTPC will further collaborate to accelerate the development and subsequently commercialise CO2 to Methanol plants

• A CO2-to-Methanol plant uses carbon dioxide from a thermal power plant and hydrogen and converts it into methanol

Mumbai: L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering (LTHE), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), has signed a memorandum of understanding with state-run NTPC Ltd, a Maharatna PSU on August 19, wherein LTHE shall be the engineering, procurement and construction management partner to build CO2-to-Methanol demonstration plant in NTPC Power Station. The MoU was signed by Subramanian Sarma, Whole Time Director and Senior Executive, Vice President (Energy) at LTHE and Ujjwal Kanti Bhattacharya, ED (Projects), NTPC Ltd in the presence of CK Mondol, Director (Commercial), NTPC Ltd and other senior officials from L&T and NTPC Ltd.

NTPC, L&T to develop, commercialise CO2-to-Methanol plants

This plant will comprise of three sub-units, namely CO2 capture from Flue Gas, H2 production by electrolysis of water and catalytic conversion of CO2 and H2 to Methanol. Under this MOU, LTHE and NTPC will further collaborate to accelerate the development and subsequently commercialise CO2 to Methanol plants.

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Subramanian Sarma said, "We are delighted to be a part of this initiative of NTPC in the field of clean energy. This development towards establishing CO2-to Methanol plants is an important step towards India's commitment to combat climate change. LTHE, together with NTPC, will leverage its vast experience in engineering, construction and project management to successfully deliver this demonstration project."

What is a CO2-to-Methanol plant?

A CO2-to-Methanol plant uses carbon dioxide from a thermal power plant and hydrogen and converts it into methanol. It is essentially a carbon capture and use (CCU) project. Carbon dioxide from the coal fired plant is precipitated from the flue gases in a special downstream flue gas scrubber (post-combustion capture). The power plant's electricity is used to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen in an electrolysis unit. Carbon dioxide and hydrogen are then converted into standard methanol in a methanol synthesis unit.

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